Fire take 1st victory of season in shutout against New York Red Bulls

Mo Adams was happy to be back from loan. Jeremiah Gutjahr was thrilled to make his professional debut. And the Chicago Fire were relieved to finish off their first victory of the season.

Finding unexpected help shoring up its defense from youngsters Adams and Gutjahr, the Fire took advantage of an own goal for a 1-0 win vs. visiting New York Red Bulls on Saturday afternoon.

"It was definitely important, especially having two home games before that where we didn't get the win," Adams said. "So I think it was extremely crucial for us to get the victory today, and it sets us up perfectly for Toronto next week."

"It was really a game of chess today," Fire coach Veljko Paunovic added, "and I think also it was a game of two warrior-spirit teams, which in this case fortunately for us we won."

Paunovic's best chess moves came while filling out the starting lineup. He inserted Adams next to Dax McCarty in a defensive midfield role for Adams' first MLS action of the season. Adams had been sent on loan to Memphis of the USL, but he helped stifle Bradley Wright-Phillips, one of the league's top forwards.

The Fire started Johan Kappelhof at right back and Bastian Schweinsteiger at center back. Djordje Mihailovic sat until the 80th minute.

"We didn't get a shutout until now, and we've kind of been conceding quite a few goals, so for us to put a stop to that and show that we're capable of keeping the back line tight, making life difficult for them, being tough to break down, I think that was the key to the victory today."

Developed as a midfielder in the Fire's academy, Gutjahr made an impression with a solid performance at left back, a problem spot in the Fire's first three games.

"That tells you that there is a huge potential there and talent, and we are happy to work with him," Paunovic said.

"An unbelievable experience," Gutjahr added, "just being able to play in front of the fans with this group of guys. Hard to put into words just the joy. You can feel it but it's hard to say kind of what it means. But it's just fantastic to get the 3 points with this group of guys."

Also making a transition was newly signed midfielder Nico Gaitan. He made his much-anticipated debut in the 63rd minute.

The Fire scored the game's only goal in the 48th minute, taking advantage of the Red Bulls' inability to clear the ball. Nemanja Nikolic thought he had his first goal of the season when he knocked the ball goalward with his back to the net. New York's Tim Parker tried to save it but wound up knocking the ball just over the line instead.